Hi

With a little time on my hands, I'm thinking of doing a little research into family history. A friend has recommended ancestry.co.uk but I wonder if others have done any research and, if so, which genealogy services would be recommended. Probably UK only, given the lack of adventure in our family, and I'm keen to know which sites give access to a wide range of documents, and the ability to view the (obviously digitised) original documents online.

Thanks for any guidance ...

Be true to yourself. That way happiness lies...

Well into it. Manage to get one side of the family back to the 1500's and just 1 mile away from where I live now. Love doing it.

I used ancestry.co.uk for several years - it isn't cheap though and after a while you are faced with buying the optional extras which give access to things like parish records which allow you to go back further than the 1831 census (which was the first national census). But it is the biggest.

I would start with ancestry.co.uk as you will give you a good start and also you come across other members family trees which can take you back a lot further.

I cancelled my ancestry.co.uk subscription because I felt I had reached a stale mate with all four areas i.e. my father, mother and also the wifes parents but am looking at trying www.findmypast.co.uk to see if I can get another angle on some dead ends.

www.findmypast.co.uk are doing a 14 day free trial.

Good luck. I love it. Especially the odd skeleton in the cupboard.

Go and buy a magazine like 'who do you think you are'. Last months had loads of good tips on free sources and has tips for starters.

PM me if you need any more advice. I might not be brilliant under the bonnet of a Free Lander but I have spent a lot of time with the genealogy lark.

Heyho thanks...! ...

Be true to yourself. That way happiness lies...